Arizona beats Iowa State at buzzer in wild end to Big 12 semifinal

The Arizona Wildcats are headed to the Big 12 championship game after one of the wildest finishes of the tournament.

Arizona beat the Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball squad 82-80 on a ridiculous buzzer-beater in the semifinal, ending a tense, tight affair the only way it could have ended.

Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey drilled a late 3-pointer with a dwindling shot clock winding down to tie the game at 80.

But Jaden Bradley sent them home shortly thereafter with a fadeaway jumper — as he fell to the floor — as the clock expired.

“It was a great game. An epic battle. And I respect Iowa State so much,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd told reporters after the win. “I thought they played really well today. Their shot-making was different than when we played them 10 days ago. They’re a good team and were a good version of themselves and they really made us dig deep.”

Iowa State had a chance to take control late but couldn’t get a clean look on its final possession. Arizona quickly pushed the ball the other way with only seconds left.

The Wildcats stayed within reach thanks to a few timely baskets and some late defensive stops, improving their record to 31-2 and justifying the No. 1 seed they earned with their regular season play.

It was a painful ending for the Cyclones, who had played well enough to win until the end of the contest, though they should still be a team you’ll see in the NCAA Tournament following Selection Sunday.

Jaden Bradley of the Arizona Wildcats shoots the game-winning basket over Killyan Toure of the Iowa State Cyclones in the second half during the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center on March 13, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. Getty Images

Milan Momcilovic of Iowa State was the game’s high-scorer at 28 points, draining eight treys in the contest.

Forward Joshua Jefferson added 21 points for Iowa State as the two combined to shoot 19-for-35 from the field.

Anthony Dell’Orso paced the Wildcats with 26 points in the game, hitting 6-of-9 from 3-point range.

Jaden Bradley celebrates after hitting the game-winning basket against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second half during the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center on March 13, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. Getty Images

Forward Ivan Kharchenkov added 17 points and five assists.

Bradley, who hit the game-winner, finished with 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting, along with seven assists.